Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1887-12-24

ply. Soon stream OF buttons besan |
70 How N on the major. Buttons OF !
AL sorts and sizes and colors and
previous conditions OF servitude.
brass buttons, aud pearl buttons. and
gold buttons, and horn buttons, and
wooden buttons, coat buttons. and cap
buttons, and cuff buttons, aud shirt
buttons. "a stream of buttons" did
say? A dozen of them flowing from
as many different points of the com
pass and all converdng on the major.
The news was spreading.
The camp was waking up and com
ing TO the surface The south hill re-
sembled huge ants nest, freshly dis
turbed by harrow. The crowd
around the major was growing dense.
The air was sitting. The fierce rays
OF the sun beat like fiery hammers on
his head. His flaming countenance
beamed like beacon light in the set
oil dirty faces surrounding it. The
streams pouring in npon him were
swelling as il being augmented by
sDrlng iresliet of buttons; and yet, al
though an hour had elapsed since he
entered the stockade. he had seen
nothing even resembling the articles he
wanted. But the major was not
prone TO relinquish an undertaking
while there WAS even a chance OF sue
cess. He mopped his brow with his
handkerchief and perseyered, and vic
tory at length crowned his efforts. A
lank Yankee elbowed his way through
the throng, remarking as he did so:
Just look at these, major. 'Tain't
at all likely they're just like yours but
mebbe they're near 'nuff SOS they'll
do"
The instant the majors glance fell
on those buttons he knew they'd do.
He stretched out his hand and seized
them eagerly, and compared them
with those on his coat.
They re just the thing" he cried
ioyfnIly. They're q perfect match.
What will you take for themg"
"Well. said the lean Yank, IL guess
they orter be worth a dollar apiece in
greenbacks."
Cheap enough" said the major.
On take them and am much Obliged
to you besides. lie placed his pur-
chase carefully IN his pocketDook. and
gave in exchange two crisp, one dollar
bills.
And now that the major had finish.
ed his business. he was anxious to es.
cape. He faced about and shouted,
Make way there! Open a road TO
! the gatel want TO get out! Ivegot
all the buttons want"
The throns parted and the major
| orkcd his way slowly toward the
I gate; but as he neared the point of
exit, IL occurred to him that there
/ was something unusual in the conduct
OF the crowd. Instead OF dispensing
| RS they generally did alter making
trade. the prisoners seemed to be fell
4 lowing him and were actually crowd
/ Ing upon has heels.
"Can it be possible" thought the
/ major, '.that they intend to seize me
and use me as shield while they
\ make dash for liberty?"
4 But single glance at the throng
dispelled his apprehensions. Hesawno
stern, resoiute countenancpR. set in
grim resolve to do or die, bat instead,
the dirty faces were wreathed with
smiles. and he heard little ripples and
gurgles Of laughter yelling up behind
him.
what III the world can have pleas
ed those sagamullins so2" unused the
major as he walked slowly back 20
his quarters. al never saw such a
grimning mob. can understand why
the poor devil who got the greenbacks
is pleased, bat it don't seem as though
the mere sight OF couple OF dollars
would cause ten thousand men 10
stretch their mouths into hundred
yards grim"
The major went straight TO his
quarters and exhibited his purchase
to his two isiends. AREN'T they
bcantiesy" SAID he. ",Fhey are the
exact pattern OF the Others and don't
look 4 day older than those on my
coat They only cost me two dollars,
and wouldn't take twenty for them
But didn't ] have a sweater getting
them wouldn't 90 through such q
siege again for five dollar bill"
AT this instant the captain happen
ed TO obtain view OF the major.
back. At first he stared in amaze
ment, then burst into fit OF uncon
troilable laughter,
whats the matter with your
said the major with some asperity
"T'ell as the Joke, so that We cal
laugh with you." remarked the lieu
tenant.
But the fountain OF the captain'i
mirth had been too deeply stirre'
10 overflow IN the smooth even chan
, pels OF speech. and for five minutes ~
persisted in hubpling ard boiling ove
in laughter.
"Confound the fellowp' cried thema
Tor. The must be hysteric9l III CIV
him dose al whiskey and see II tina
won't etrailhten him out.
Fte turned q get hie itask, and rs y
did 80 the captain pointed one in2e
: at the rotreating torn, The iicntcr
An, glanced in The direction indicated
: and broke into n laugh, fairly rlN0.ln
that OF the captain,
"Wcll," said the major, turnin
sharply around and addressing IN
lieutenant, $40 you've got It, hay
, your | begin TO think Id better &c
7 out OF this, as this lunacy appears G
3 be contagious.
J "There is no danger OF your catct
t ING IL lust vet" laughed the captain
v nand when you do-ha.hal-the SYM
toms won't be in the least like ours.
"Ho.ho.ho.o. or yelled the lieuter
D ant, 'you cut yours teeth some tim
9 mo YOU didl You don't need any I'D
vice about making bargain! OF
mol"
h "What the duece do you meanY
Q cried the major fiercely. :,
: But he received no reply IN words
Tho short fiises OF articulation ha
!, burned out and were exploding fres
Q magazines of laughter.
e For a moment the mayor gazed